Full automatic plate-finishing machine



Jan. 16, 1940. H. c. BEHR ENS FULL AUTOMATIC PLATE FINISHING MACHINEFiled April 19, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 16', 1940. H. c. BEHRENS FULLAUTOMATIC PLATE FINISHING MACHINE Filed April 19, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Jan. 16-, 1940. H; c. BEHRENS FULL AUTOMATIC PLATE FINISHING MACHINE 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 19. 1937 Jan. 16, 1940. c, BEHRENS FULLAUTOMATIC PLATE FINISHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 19, 1.937

Patented Jan. 16, 1 940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FULL AUTOMATICPLATE-FINISHING MACHINE Herbert G. Behrens, Battle Creek, Mich, assignorto Duplex Printing Press Company, Battle Creek, Mich, a corporation ofMichigan Application April 19, 1937, Serial No. 137,863

27 Claims.

H of the automatic features may be eliminated and their'operationsperformed mechanically by actuation of manually controlled hand leversor the like.

Further objects are to provide a full-automatic plate-finishing machinefor receiving tubular plates having projections cast on their tail endsadapted to contact with an adjustable stop'on the machine forautomatically properly positioning the pates therein, a plate when thuspositioned automatically actuating a switch setting the ma- 2,0 chine inoperation; said machine when in motion having means for initiallyautomatically clamping the plate to prevent movement thereof duringmachining, also means for subsequently automatically operating sets ofcutters which cut off the tail pieces at the ends of the clamped plateleaving he correct bevel at each end of the plate body; also means forsubsequently bringing the sets of cutters to rest until the cycle isrepeated on the next succeeding plate placed in the machine; saidmachine also having means i for subsequently automatically propelling acarriage axially of and within the plate, said carriage having a set ofadjustable revolving cutters thereon-which, when this carriage is atrest, are

folded inwardlyto allow sufficient clearance to permit placing the platein the machine, but

which cutters, when the carriage is being propolled, are brought intocutting positions to give the plate a predetermined inside diameter;also automatic means for reversing the movement of the carriage whensame has completed its cutting stroke; also means during such reversalfor automatically unclamping the plates in the machine leaving same freeto be removed; also automatic 3 means whereby when the carriage returnsto its original position the machine will be stopped; and also meanswhereby as the carriage is returning to its original position the nextsucceedingplate to be finished may be placed in the machine, and wherebythe above described cycle will be automatically continued as long as aplate is placed in themachine as soon as previous one has-been finished.

I willexplain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, to enable othersfamiliar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize inthe claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations ofparts for which protection is desired. 6

In said drawings: Fig. l is a longitudinal section through the machineon the line 1-1, Fig. 7, showing in dotted lines the finished stereotypeplate body and the severed tail ends thereof, the plate bor- 10 ingmechanisms being shown in about the midposition of its cutting stroke.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2, Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a reduced elevation of the cast stere- 1 otype tubular plateprior to finishing. Fig. l is an end view of the plate shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5, Fig. 1. I

Figs. 6 and 7 are reduced side and end elevations respectively of themachine.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section through the axis of the plateboring mechanism, de-

tached. l

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line 9--9, Fig. 5 showing themovable plate clamp at its operating means.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged elevation of the clutch operating means. Fig. '11is a plan view of the clutch arrange- 'inent.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the clutch arrangement showing theclutches engaged.

Fig. 13 is an elevation showing the clutch disengaged.

Figs. 3 and 4. show the rough cast stereotype tubular plate A in theform discharged from a plate casting box, the same having the usuallongitudinal split A and having at one tail end 49 A an integral lug Afor the purpose of properly positioning the plate in the finishingmachine forming the subject-matter of my present invention, whichmachine operates automatically or otherwise to bore and finish the plateA, cutting off the tail end portions A A of the plate along the dottedlines A and A and leaving the finished body portion A.

Mynovel finishing machine comprises an elongated casing body 5 having asubstantially semicylindrical upper portion 2 of somewhat less lengththan the body, same being open at both ends and or" larger diameter thanthe stereotype plate A, whereby the latter may be inserted 55 throughthe portion 2 into the position shown in dotted lines Fig. 1.

Within portion 2 is a fixed cylinder 3 of internal diameter slightlylarger than the external diameter of stereotype plate A, said cylinderbeing of length somewhat less than the body A of the plate A between thetrim lines A A Fig. 3. Cylinder 3 is split as at 3a (Fig. along itslower periphery leaving a gap for the entry therein of the standard 24of the reciprocable plate boring mechanism (hereinafter referred to).One side of cylinder 3, at the gap 30,, is seated in the bosom of anangle iron 4 (Fig. 5) forming a fixed plate clamp, while the cylinder atthe other side of the gap is mounted upon the fixed support 5 of amovable plate clamp 6 which I clamp has an upstanding flange 3a alongits inner edge disposed opposite and parallel with the upstanding leg ofthe angle iron 4. Clamp 6 is slidably mounted in a fixed support 5, asshown in Figs. 5 and 9. The standard 24 of the plate boring mechanismenters cylinder 3 between the fixed and movable plate clamps 4 and 6, asshown in Figs. 5 and 9. Around the cylinder 3 within portion 2 are aseries of annular ribs 20. (three being shown) for preventing radialexpansion of cylinder 3. I

The split A in stereotype plate A is of narrower width than the gap 3ain cylinder 3 so that when plate A is placed in the machine, one side ofthe gap A abuts against the upstanding leg of fixed clamp 4, while theother side of the gap abuts against the flange 6a of the movable clamp6, whereby when clamp 6 is shifted, as hereinafter described, plate Awill be expanded to securely bind within cylinder 3.

Within portion 2 adjacent each end of cylinder 3 is an annular cuttingframe I having an annular peripheral groove In (Fig. 1) receiving ballor roller bearings 8 journaled within the portion 2 (three such bearings8 being shown for each frame I spaced substantially 120 apart in Fig.2), said bearings 8 permitting rotation of frames I while preventinglateral or axial movement thereof. Each frame I is also provided with'anexternal ring gear lb whereby the frame may be rotated as hereinafterexplained.

. Journaled within the rim of each cutter frame 'I is a shaft 3 (Fig. l)disposed parallel with the axis of cylinder 3, said shaft having a wheelII? mounted thereon provided with four radially disposed equal spacedpins Ilia. adapted to successively contact with a striker block I I asthe frame TI rotates, thereby revolving the shaft 9 onequarterrevolution upon each rotation of the frame. Each shaft 3 also carries aneccentric 9a 'upon which is journaled one end of a tool post I2 pivotedas at I2a (Fig. 2) on the side of the cutter frame, said tool post I2carrying a beveled cutting tool I212 on its outer end for the purpose ofcutting stereotype plate A circumferentially along the cutting lines A Aof Fig. 3. The normal position of tool I21) is as shown in Fig. 2 inwhich the outer end of the tool is retracted sufficiently to permitinsertion of the tubular plate in the cylinder 3. The drive for thering'gears lb of the cutter frames will be hereinafter extop of casing Ihaving an arm projecting above the casing adapted to be depressed (as inFig. 1) by the tail piece A of stereotype tubular plate A when insertedin the cylinder 3, the switch automatically opening when the tail pieceA is removed from the machine. The motor circuit also includes areversing switch 48 adapted to be actuated by the standard 24 of theplate boring mechanism when the latter is at the end of its cuttingstroke; also a stop switch 50 adapted to be actuated by the standard 24each time the plate boring mechanism is returned to starting position tocut off the motor I1 until the starting switch I8 is again actuated.

The plate boring mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 5, and comprises a pair ofspaced members 24 forming the standard of a carriage extending upwardlybetween the fixed and movable plate clamps 4-3 into cylinder 3, saidmembers 24 having bifurcated lower ends 24a spanning the top of cylindergear I4, the outer ends of the bifurcations slidably engaging horizontalguides Is in casing I at opposite sides of gear I4. The outer ends ofthe bifurcations 24a are provided with threaded. bores for the receptionof lead screws 25 journaled in bearings 25a (Fig. 1) 'at opposite sidesof cylinder gear I4 whereby as screws 25 are rotated carriage 24 will bemoved axially of cylinder 3. Journaled in the carriage standard, at thecrotch of bifurcations 24a is a small gear 26 meshing with cylinder gearI4, and above gear 26 is a second idler gear 21 meshing with said gear26 and with a large tool drive gear 26 coaxial with cylinder'3, gear 28being mounted on a hollow shaft 29 journaled in bearings 25a in carriage24.

Shaft 29 carries a tool post bracket 3| provided with diametrically fopposed tool posts 32-33 pivotally mounted thereon as at 320., 33a,respectively, the inner ends of the posts being longitudinally slottedas at 32b, 33b with the slotted ends overlapping. The outer ends of toolposts 32, 33 carry the tools 320, 330 (Fig. 5) adapted to engage theinner wall of stereotype tubular plate A when the tool posts areprojected outwardly and bore theplate A, the tools 320, 33c rotatingwith gear 28. The leading tool 320 (or 330) may be a roughing tool,making a preliminary cut, while the trailing tool 330 (or 320) may be afinishing tool.

Within the hollow shaft 29 is a tube 30 extending beyond each end ofsaid shaft, and on the right hand end of the tube 30 (Figs. 1 and 8) isfixedly mounted a collar 34 having an eccentric annular groove in itsperiphery in which is mounted a crank 35 carrying a pin 35a. passingthrough the overlapping slotted portions 32b, 33b of the tool posts, thecrank when rotated with respect to the tool post bracket 3I causing thetool posts 32, 33 to pivot and project or retract the tools 32c, 33cwith respect to the stereotype plate A, the normal position of the crank35 being as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 8 in which the tools are retracted.The collar 34 carries a pawl 3401. pivoted as at 3412 in a recess in thecollar, said pawl being normally urged by spring 340 into engagementwith a ratchet tooth on tool post carrier 3 I, whereby the collar 34normally rotates with the carrier. Within the slot in. the collar 34 ispivoted a pawl release lever 36 carrying a rod 3'! extending beyond the.opposite end of tube 36 and adapted when shifted axially towards theright (Fig. 8) to release pawl 34a and permit the collar 34 to remainstationary while the carrier 3| continues to rotate.

"right hand limitof its movement (Fig. l) to en'- gage, clutch teeth?380 in a fixed bracket 38 v mounted on the axis of cylinder 3 at thestarting position.

2,187,444 on the' outer face of collar 34 are clutch teeth.

34d adapted when carriage 24 is inxthe extreme ing positionof thecarriageto prevent rotation of collar 34; At the sametime the outer bentend. of pawl 34a engages striking face 380;. of bracket 38 and tilts thepawl out of contact with the ratchet tooth of .ca1rier 3l therebypermitting the carrier 3! to rotate independentlyof collar 34:fll'hisposition of the carrier 24 is its start- Ontthe opposite end oftube 30 is a collar 301; having. teeth 39c adapted to engage clutchteeth -39c in a fixed bracket 39 at the extreme left hand .limit ofmovement ofcarriage 24 (Fig. 1) While at the same time pawl release rod31 engages striking face 39a of bracket 38 and releases pawl 3 la,permitting the collar v3-l to remain stationary while the carrier 3lrotates.

. Eachleajd screw 25 is threaded throughout the v entire limit of travelof the legsMaof carriage 2'4 but has a reduced end 252) extending.beyond the .limit:of travel ofthe .carriageat the endof the screwadjacent bracketfBtjsaid' reduced por- .tion 25bhavingiorward-drivethreads 25c exvtend-inga portion of its length adjacent the'mainthreadedlportion; and a forward-drive gear 43 is mounted on said reducedportion 25b and adapted when in engagement with the shoulderatthcinner'endof. portion 25b to rotate lead screw .25 in a direction tomove carriage 24 towardsthe left. (Fig. l), the gear Mlmeshingconstantly with the cylinder gear 14.

Atithe opposite end of shaft 25 is a similar reduced portionZlidprovided fora portion of its length with reverse-drive threads 25c,and a re-.

verse-drive gear.4| is mounted on the. portion lly'idpand when gear 4!abuts against theshoulderat the inner end of said reduced portion, 7

gear M will rotate lea-dfscrew 25 in the reverse dir e ction if thecylinder gear I4-is rotated in the reverse direction.

The movable plate clampfi carries cranks lib .(Figs. andQ) on itsexterior edge rotatably embracingeccentrics 62 on a .shaft 43c whicheccentrics when rotated draw the clamp-r3 out wardly in its guidesupport i to expand the stereotype] plate A and thereby securely bindthe lat-- ter in fixed positionwithin the cylinder 3 during thefinishing operations. Eccentrics 42 are actuated by a lever 43 (Fig;9).,mounted on shaft 43a. which is journaled int-he webs 2a of .theportion 2, said lever :13 normally resting. on the reduced portion b andlyingin the path of .a cam surface 411c (Fig. 9) on one axially movablegear 40, whereby when the gear is moved to abut against. the shoulder ofits related reduced portion 25b of lead screw Ziithe clamp plate 55 willbe shifted outwardly, but when the gear so is shifted onto theunthreaded portion of reduced portion 25b clamp 6 will bemoved inwardlyby contraction or" the stereotype plate A.

The driveficr the ring gears lb of the annular cutterirames I is shownin Figs. 10-13, and comprises a pair of pinions l8. fixedly mounted on-a shaft Ha journaled in bearings in the casing, saidpinions[constantlymeshing with ring gears lb, Below the ends of shaftIsa, andparallel therewith, are stub shafts 22 (Fig. 12) suitably jou'ledin the casing, said stub shafts carrying sli .ng gears 2i splinedthereon, and

having hubs Zia each having annular groove receiving a clutch yoke 23pivoted as at 23a at gears its lower end in the casing l. Each gear 2|constantly meshes with cylinder gear I4 and is rotated thereby. The twoyokes 23 are interconnected by a link 231) so as to shift the slidinggears 2! in unison. The yoke 23 adjacent the starting position of the.carriage 24 (right hand end, Fig. l) is extended as at 23:0 andterminates closely adjacent the outer end of one leg 2 5a of thecarriage 24, which leg carries a lug fitx adjacent its leading endadapted to engage the end 23a of the yoke whenever the carge 24 is instarting position as shown in Fig. 2.2 and simultaneously shift bothsliding gears El intomesh with the pinions l9 thereby driving theannular cutter frames '1. A second lug Myis pivoted on the leg 24adjacent its trailing end and adapted to be swung towards the lug 24x,the same'being normally maintained in position to strike yoke'end 23.10by spring 242;

and when the carriage is moved on its cutting stroke the lug 24y willstrike the end 23m and.

shift the yoke into position shown in. Fig. 13

thereby de-clutchingbothgears 2| from their pinions l9 and causing thering gears 1b to cease rotating. On the return stroke of carriage 24 the'lug 24y merely pivots'when it strikes yoke V endilsm and thus passesthe yoke, the lug 24a:

subsequently engagingthe yoke 23a: and returnthe gears 2! into clutchedrelation with their pinions Hi (as shownin Fig. 12) when the carriage 24engagesthe fixed bracket 38 in start- .ing position, thus driving thecutter frames 1 bythe cylinder gear 14.

" In operation The normal position. of the plate boring carriage 24 isto the extreme right (Fig. 1) .so that the. clutch, teeth 34d38c are inengagement and pawl 35a is disengaged from the ratchet tooth in carrier3|, whereby collar 34 is held agairist rotation independently of carrier3|. It is from this position that the operating cycle of the machinestarts. A stereotype tubular plate now entered into cylinder 3 either byhand or automatically from a plate casting box, the A on said platecontacting with adjustable stop M (Fig. l) onqthe end of portion 2thereby accurately positioning the plate in the cylinder; and when sopositioned the tail piece A of the plate engages starting switch H3thereby actuating motor l'l and driving cylinder gear l4 through beltHi. When cylinder gear I l revolves,

which in turn revolves shaft dim rotating eccenit tries 42 thus shiftingmovable plate clamp 5 outwardly, thereby expanding the stereotype platein cylinder 3 to firmly clamp same in position during the finishingoperations.

'Since the carriage M is now occupying the.

starting position, thecarriage has thrown clutch yokes 723 into positionshown in Figs. 11-12 so that gears it and ill are in mesh, and cylindergear i l transmits motion to ring gears-lb thereby rotating cutterframes '1 carrying the bevel tools 12h around the perip. .ery of plateA. While 4% are travelling along forward-drive threaded portions 250 ofscrews 25 the cutter frames l make four revolutions. On the firstrevolution of ring gears 11) apin |a on each :wheel Ill willstrike thestriker blocks N thereby turning said wheel Ill and revolving eccentricea in tool posts l2, shoving tool I 212 partly into the stereotype'plateA to make the first bevel cutaround the periphery thereof. On the secondrevolution the second pin lila strikes the block H and the tool |2b isshifted further inwardly to complete the operation of cutting thebevelin the plate A, leaving the body A of the plate fastened in thecylinder 3 and the tail pieces A A loose at the ends of the machine. Onthe third revolution the tool posts l2 are shoved still further towardthe center of cylinder 3' whereby owing to the bevels of the tools theloose end pieces A A of the plate are shifted outwardly so as to leavespaces for the operation of the cutters 320330 of the plate boringmechanism, the end pieces A A occupying the positions shown in dottedlines, Fig. 1. The fourth revolution of the ring gear lb returns thetool |2b to its normal position.

normal positions.- As gears 4|] start revolving lead screws 25, thereverse threads 25c on the opposite ends of the lead screws shift gears4| to the position shown in Fig. l in which position they merely revolveidly.

Also, as carriage 24 starts its cutting stroke, under the influence oflead screws 25, tool post carrier 3| of the carriage is revolved bycylinder gear l4 through the gear train 26, 21 and'28. The clutch teeth330 being initially in engagement with the teeth 34d of collar 34prevent said collar 34 from rotating with carrier 3|, pawl 34a beingheld out of engagement with the ratchet tooth of tool post carrier 3|due to same contacting the striking face 38a of bracket 38. Relativerotation of carrier 3| with respect to collar 34 thus causes a change inthe position of crank 35. The length of dwell, wherein carriage 24 moveswhile clutch teeth 34d38c are still in engagement, is sufficient tocause the cutters 32c33c to be projected into cutting position since pinof crank 35 has been rotated thereby pulling the inner slotted ends oftool posts 32 and 33 towards the axis of rotation of carrier 3|. As soonas the clutch teeth 34d38c are disengaged, the pawl 34a being also freefrom striking face 33a, engages the ratchet tooth on carrier 3| andsecurely locks the cutter tool posts 3233 in cut ting position. Thecutters 32c-33c now revolve while in cutting position and travellengthwise of the machine with the carriage, thereby boring the insidesurface of stereotype plate A to the predetermined diameter for whichthey have been adjusted. While carriage 24 is travelling along itscutting stroke a conveyor chain 45, which is fastened to the carriage,is pulled over idler sprocket 45 at the end of the casing therebycovering up the opening between the fixed and movableclamps 46 over thecylinder gear l4, and thus catching the chips cut from plate A bycutters 320-330 preventing same from falling into the interior of thecasing.

When carriage 24 reaches the outward extrem ity of its cutting stroke,pawl release lever rod 37 strikes the striking face 39a of bracket 39,and

simultaneously the clutch'teeth 300 -490 are engaged. Rod 31 shifts pawlrelease lever 36 to the right (Fig. 1) which releases pawl 340. fromengagement withthe ratchet on tool post carrier 3 thereby freeing collar34 from the carrier and permitting the carrier to revolve while thecollar 34 is held against rotation. By this action cutters 320-330 areretracted from their cutting positions since the crank 35 is againrotated into position shown in Fig. 5, which is the normal position ofthe crank.

The instant carriage 24 reaches its outward limit of travel, carriage 24trips the motor reversing switch 48 thereby reversing the direction ofrotation of the cylinder gear I4. This reversal of rotation ofgear 4shifts the gears 4| to the right (Fig. 1) on their screws 25c. bringingsaid gears against the shoulders on lead screws 25 and thereby reversingdirection of rotation of the lead screws 25, and causing return'ofcarriage 24 to its original starting position.

While gears 4| are moving to the right (Fig. 1) gears 40 at the oppositeend of the lead screws 25 are also being shifted to the right alongthreads 250 to the outer ends of the reduced portions 25b, i

melting pot of the plate casting box.

While carriage 24 is returning" to its starting position a succeedingplate A to be finished may be shoved into the machine either manually,or mechanically from an automatic casting box. When the new, plate A isplaced into the machine it shoves the severed tail piece A outwardlyfrom the machine into a convenient receptacle, and also shoves out thefinished section A of the plate into a pre-arranged tubular receptacle(not shown) placed in such position that the severed tail piece A mayfall between the machine and said receptacle, while the finished plate Abeing of greater length will bridge the gap and come to rest within thereceptacle.

If another plate A (to be finished) is not inserted in the machinebefore carriage 24 reaches its starting position so as to again closestarting switch I8, carriage 24 will strike the stop switch 50 andautomatically shut-off the motor stopping the machine. If a succeedingplate is inserted during the reverse movement of carriage 24, and ifsuch plate should trip starting switch l8, said switch I8 cannot becomeoperative until carriage 24 has reached its normal position and closedthe switch 55.

When carriage 24 is returned to its starting position clutch yoke 23(Fig. 12) is shifted to engage clutch gears 2| with the cutter framedrive pinions l9, whereby the cutterframes 7 will be operative as soonas the working cycle of the machine is repeated.

I claim:

1. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindricalholder adapted to receive the plate, said holder having a longitudinalgap; means at the ends of the holder for severing the ends of the plate;a carriage extending through the gap and reciprocably mounted withrespect to.

the holder; plate boring mechanism carried by the carriage means foractuatingthe severing means; means disposed; exterior to the holder forsupporting and for moving thecarriage on the cutting stroke of theboring mechanism; and meansat the end of said cutting stroke forreversing the movement of the carriage. T In combination with a machineas set forth in claim 1, means operated by the plate for setting themachine in action by insertion of the plate in the holder. p

3.; In combination with a machine as set forth in claim 1, means forsetting the machine in action actuated by a plate when inserted in theholder; means for clamping the plate in the holder during the initialportionof the cutting stroke of the boring mechanism, and means forreleasing the plate from the holder during the initial portion of thereverse movement of the boring mechanism to permit withdrawal of saidplate and the insertion of a new plate while the boring .mechanism isreturning to starting position and means for stopping the machine whenthe boring mechanism is thus returned in event a new plate has not beeninserted in the holder; where-' by the insertion of such new plate willcause repetition of the cycle of operations as soon as the boringmechanism has been thus returned.

I 4. In a machine as set forth in claim 1, rotatable annular framesaround the plate carrying the severing means in normal retractedposition; and said means for actuating said severing means comprising amain drive shaft; clutch means for causingapredetermined number ofrevolutions of the frames by the shaft preceding the cutting stroke ofthe boring mechanism; andmeans for causing the severing means topenetrate deeper the boring mechanism is in starting position;

meansfor retaining the boring mechanism in starting position until afterthe frames have made a predetermined number of revolutions;

and means for causing the severing means to penetrate deeper into theplate upon each successive rotation of the frames, the severing meansbeing returned to normal retracted position during the last revolutionof the frames.

6. In combination with a machine as set forth inelalm 1, a cylinder geardisposed adjacent the gap; said carriage beingsupported by said movingmeans; a rotatable carrier journaled on said carriage and carryingcutting tools; a gear on said carrier; and a gear train journaled in thecarriage meshing. with the carrier gear and cylinder gear to causerotation of the cutting tools.

7. In combination with a machine as set forth in claim 1, a flexibleclosure member secured to the carriage and bridging the gap between thecarriage and its starting position as the carriage is moved. v

8. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindricalholder adapted to receive the plate and having a'longitudinalgap; meansattheends of theholder for severing the ends of the plate; plate boringmechanism entering the gap and reciprocably mounted within the stroke;means for projecting the rotary cutting tools into engagement with theplate; means at the end of said cutting stroke for retracting saidrotary cutting tools; and means for reversing the movement of the boringmechanism.

9. In a machine as set forth in claim 8, said means for moving theboring mechanism comprising a lead screw beside the cylinder gearthreaded into the boring mechanism; and a pinion on said lead screwmeshing with the cylinder gear whereby when the cylinder gear is rotatedthe mechanism will be moved.

' ii). In a machine as set forth in claim 8, said 7 means for moving theboring mechanism on its cutting stroke comprising a lead screw besidethe cylinder gear threaded into the boring mechanism; said lead screwhaving a reduced portion "at its ends adjacent the starting positionpro- I vided with forward drive threads; a pinion threaded on saidreduced end and meshing with the cylinder gear whereby when the cylindergear is rotated in one direction with the carriage in starting positionthe pinion will make a predetermined number of revolutions in travellingalong the forward drive threads before rotating the lead screw to movethe boring mechanism.

11. In a machine as set forth in claim 8, said means for moving theboringmechanism on its cutting stroke comprising a lead screw beside thecylinder gear threaded into the mechanism; said lead screw having areduced portion at its end adjacent the starting position provided withforward drive threads; a forward drive pinion threaded on said reducedend and meshing with the cylinder gear; and said meansfor reversing themovement of the boring mechanism comprising means whereby when theboring mechanism reaches the end of its cutting stroke the rotation ofthe cylinder gear is reversed; said lead screw having a reduced portionat its other end provided with reverse drive threads; a reversing pinionthreaded on said reduced end and meshing with the cylinder gear wherebywhen 1 the cylinder gear is rotated in either direction one of thepinions will make a predetermined numoer of revolutions in travellingalong the drive threads before rotating the lead screw; and said reducedportions each having unthreaded outer ends whereby when the lead screwis rotated in either directionone of the pinions will be moved to rotateidly on its related unthreaded portion.

; 12. In a machine as set forth in claim 8, said boring mechanismincluding a carrier having opposed posts carrying the rotary cuttingtools;

the rotary cutting tools comprising a sleeve coaxial with the carrierand extending beyond the ends thereof and having clutch teeth at eachend; means for normally locking the sleeve to the carrier; a member onthe sleeve maintaining vfixed positions of the posts on the carrier whenthe locking means is engaged; fixed members at the ends of the stroke ofthe boring mechanism; and means on the fixed members for engaging fi andsaid means for pro ecting and retracting the clutch teeth and forunlocking the locking means to permit relative rotation of the carrierwith respect to the sleeve, thereby shifting the posts on the carrier.

13. In combination with a machine as set forth in claim 8, a fixed clampextending through the gap into the holder; a movable plate clampextending through the gap into the holder; said fixed and movable clampsrespectively engaging the Walls of the split in the stereotype plate;and means actuated when the cylinder gear is rotated and until theboring mechanism starts its reverse stroke for shifting the movableclamp to expand the plate within the holder.

A; In a machine as set forth in claim 8, rotatable annular framescarrying the severing means in normal retracted position; and said meansfor actuating said severing means in-. cluding ring gears on the frames;clutch gears adaptedto mesh with the ring gears and cylinder gear;clutch means for meshing the gears when the boring mechanism is instarting position; means for retaining the boring mechanism in startingposition until after the annular frames have made'a predetermined numberof revolutions; and means for causing the severing means to penetratedeeper into the plate upon each successive rotation of the frames, thesevering means being returned to normal retracted position during thelast revolution of the frames.

15. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindricalholder adapted to receive the plate; means at the ends of the holder forsevering the ends of the plate; plate boring mechanism reciprocablymounted within the holder; means for actuating the severing means; meansfor reciprocating the boring mechanism; means operated by a plate wheninserted in the holder-for setting the machine in action to actuate thesevering and reciprocating means whereby successive insertions of newplates will cause repetitions of the cycles, and means for rendering themachine inactive when the boring mechanism reaches its starting positionin event no new plate is inserted in the holder.

16. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindricalholder adapted to receive the plate; means at the ends of the holder forsevering the ends of the plate; a plate boring mechanism reciprocablymounted within the holder; means operated by a plate when inserted inthe holder for setting the machine for action; means for initiallyclamping the plate in the section when the machine is set in action;means for actuating the severing means after the plate is clamped; meansfor moving the boring mechanism on its cutting stroke after the severingoperation; means at the end of said cutting stroke for reversing themovement of the boring mechanism; and means for releasing the plate inthe holder when the boring mechanism starts its reverse movement topermit Withdrawal of the plate and insertion of a new plate in thesection while the boring mechanism is returning to starting position,whereby the foregoing cycle of operations will be immediately repeatedeach time anew plate is thus inserted in the machine; and means forrendering the machine inactive when the boring mechanism reaches itsstarting position if a new plate has not been inserted in the holder.

17. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindricalholder receiving the plate and having a longitudinal gap, a fixed clampextending through the gap into the holder; a movaction; means actuatedwhen the machine is in action for shifting the movable clamp to expandthe plate within the holder; and means for releasing the clamp while themachine is in action to permit withdrawal of the finished plate andinsertion of a new plate in the holder.

18. In a machine as set forth in claim 1'7, said means for shifting themovable clamp comprising a rock shaft; an eccentric on said rock shaftoperatively connected with the movable clamp; an arm on said rock shaft;a movable member; and cam means on the movable member for shifting thearm. I

19. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindricalholder receiving the plate,-annular frames around the plate at the endsof the holder carrying cutters in normal retracted position; a maindrive shaft; clutch means adapted to cause the shaft to rotate theannular frames a predetermined number of revoiutions; means forde-clutching said clutch at the end of said revolutions; and means whereby when the annular frames are rotating the cutters will penetrate theplate, the cutters being returned to normal retracted position duringthe last revolution of the frames.

20. In a machine as set forth in claim 19, said cutter penetrating meanscomprising stub shafts journaled in the annular frames parallel with theaxis of the plate and having eccentric portions; tool posts pivoted onthe frames carrying the cuttersand having portions journaled on theeccentric portions; members on the stub shafts having radially disposedprojections corresponding with the desired number of revolutions of theannular frames to effect penetration; and striker members disposed inthe path of the projections and adapted to shift the members upon eachrevolution of the frames.

21. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindricalholder adapted to receive the plate and having a longitudinal gap; a.cylinder gear disposed adjacent the gap; plate boring mechanism enteringthe gap; means for ism meshing with the carrier gear and cylinder gearto cause rotation of the cutting tools while the carriageisreciprocated. I

22. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindricalholder receiving the plate and having a longitudinal gap; plate boringmechanism including a carriage entering the gap; means for reciprocatingthe carriage; and a flexible closure member secured to the carriage andclosing the gap between the carriage and its starting position as thecarriage'is reciprocated.

23. In a machine as set forth in claim 22, said flexible member havingone run disposed across the gap; and a weighted member on the outer endof the flexible member gravitally acting to maintain the run taut.

24. In a finishing machine for stereotype tubular plates, a cylindricalholder receiving the plate and having a longitudinal gap; a cylindergear disposed adjacent the gap; plate boring mechanism including acarriage entering the gap; .a rotatable icarrier on said carriagecarrying retary cutting tools and having a gear; and a gear in thecarriage meshing with the carrier gear and cylinder gear to causerotation of the cutwill be reciprocated.

25. In a machine as setforth in claim 24; said lead screw having areduced portion at its ends adjacent the starting position of thecarriage provided with forward drive threads, and said pinion beingthreaded on said reduced end whereby when the cylinder gear is rotatedand the carriage is in starting position the pinion will make apredetermined number of revolutions in travelling along the forwardthreads before rotating the lead screw to move the carriage,

-26. In a machine as set forth in claim 24, said lead screw having areduced portion at its end adjacent the starting position of thecarriage provided with forward drive threads and having said pinionthreaded thereon whereby when the cylinder gear is rotated and thecarriage is in starting position the pinion will make a predeterminednumber of revolutions in travelling along the forward threads beforerotating the lead screw to move the carriage on its cutting stroke;

meansfor reversing the rotation of the cylinder gear at the end of thecutting stroke; said lead screw having a reduced portion at its otherend provided with reverse drive threads; a reverse drive pinion threadedthereon and meshing with thecylinder gear; and said reduced portionseach having unthreaded outer ends whereby when 1 the lead screw isrotated in either direction one pinion will be moved to rotate idly onits related unthreaded portions.

2'7. In combination with a machine as set forth in claim 24, saidcutting tools of the carrier being mounted on opposed tool postsnormally retracted from the plate; and means for projecting andretracting the tools comprising a sleeve coaxial with the carrierandextending beyond the ends thereof and having clutch teeth at each end;means for normally locking the sleeve to the carrier; a member on thesleeve maintaining a fixed position of the posts on the carrier when thelocking means is engaged; fixed brackets extending into the path of theboring mechanism at each end of the stroke; and means on the bracketsfor engaging the clutch teeth and for shifting the locking means topermit relative rotation of the carrier with respect to the sleeve,

' thereby shifting the posts.

HERBERT c. BEHRENS.

